Tips to stay out of A&E this Christmas

NHS long service awards are presented to individuals in Louth and Mablethorpe.

Published:14:53Sunday 21 December 2014

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St John Ambulance is helping prevent unnecessary hospital admissions through first aid support and advice in Bedfordshire over Christmas and the New Year.

The NHS comes under increased pressure during the winter, but the charity has launched a #SaveSanta campaign to teach first aid tips, as well as running projects aimed at stemming the flow of patients into accident and emergency departments.

St John Ambulance has also enlisted the help of Santa Claus to illustrate five of the most common and easily treated injuries and ailments, through a series of cartoons, complete with expert first aid advice.

Keep an eye out for them on social media via the hashtag #SaveSanta and on the charity’s website: www.sja.org.uk

Paul Knighton, St John Ambulance’s Training and Community Projects Manager in the East of England said: ‘So much of our work is about the importance of learning first aid, so that people can be the difference between a life lost and a life saved, but it’s also important to know the basics, such as how to deal with cuts, bruises and other minor injuries.

‘Many household emergencies can be dealt with in the home and don’t need a trip to A&E – especially at such a busy time of year.

‘A little first aid knowledge can go a long way and, if you’re stuck for a New Year’s resolution, how about booking onto one of our first aid courses, where you can learn even more skills?

‘Everyone who needs it should receive first aid from those around them and we believe that no one should suffer for the lack of trained first aiders.’

For more information on St John Ambulance’s work, including how to become a volunteer and details of training for the public, schools and businesses, visit www.sja.org.uk or call 08700 10 49 50.

Download our free life saving app to your AndroidTM, BlackBerry® and iPhone® mobile device to be better prepared this Christmas.